With England’s second match in the World Cup taking place tonight, football fever is well and truly taking hold of the nation, and no more so than on the Kirby Estate.
Residents of the estate, famous for draping their homes in hundreds of St George’s crosses during major football tournaments, have been officially recognised by the Mayor of Southwark.
The community received a formal certificate acknowledging their years of elaborate decorations and community organising.
A tradition revived
The estate’s history of large-scale decoration dates back to a children’s street party in 1945. The modern iteration began in 2012 when resident Geraldine hung a few flags outside her home. For fellow resident Chris Dowse, the modest display brought back memories of the 1996 Euros, prompting a coordinated effort to expand the decorations across the building’s balconies.
Today, the operation involves residents going door-to-door to ask neighbours if they would like a flag installed. The display is highly inclusive; residents from other nations participating in a tournament are encouraged to fly their own colours.
Over the years, the estate’s walkways have featured German, Spanish, Portuguese, Colombian, and French flags alongside the dominant English crosses. On match days, the community sets up areas in the central courtyard, bringing the entire block together to watch the football.
Murals and the Lionesses
The courtyard walls feature two large-scale murals dedicated to English football players Eberechi Eze and Fran Kirby.
While the displays were initially set up solely for men’s tournaments, a conversation in 2019 prompted a permanent shift. The estate expanded its efforts and now fully decorates for the Women’s Euros and Women’s World Cup alongside the men’s competitions.
The recent recognition from the local council, initiated by a local councillor, honours more than just the tournament decorations. The tight-knit community has consistently rallied to organise events for the King’s Coronation and the Jubilee, while also raising funds to support their own local park.
Dowse notes it is a welcome validation of the hard work put into fostering local spirit over the last decade.
With the estate fully decorated for the current tournament, residents are already planning for a potential celebration. Dowse has issued a direct invitation to the England squad, requesting that if they secure the trophy, the official victory parade should begin at the Kirby Estate before making its way around the wider capital.
